The LITURGICAL SEQUENCES of ADAM of ST. VICTOR

VI. NATIVITAS DOMINI
[English]

Nato nobis Salvatore
Celebremus cum honore
Diem natalitium,
Nobis datus, nobis natus,
Et nobiscum conversatus
Lux et salus gentium.

Eva prius interemit,
Sed Salvator nos redemit
Carnis suae merito.
Prima parens nobis luctum,
Sed Maria vitae fructum
Protulit cum gaudio.

Negligentes non neglexit,
Sed ex alto nos prospexit
Pater mittens Filium;
Praesens mundo, sed abscondus,
De secreto tanquam sponsus
Prodiit in publicum.

Gigas velox, gigas fortis,
Gigas nostrae victor mortis,
Accinctus potentia,
Ad currendam venit viam,
Complens in se prophetiam
Et legis mysteria.

Jesu, nostra salutaris
Medicina, singularis
Nostra pax et gloria,
Quia servis redimendis
Tam decenter condescendis,
Te collaudant omnia!
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VI. CHRISTMAS
[Latin]

Since a Saviour is born for us,
Let us, honouring Him, in chorus
Celebrate His natal day,
To us given, for us even
Born, a man 'mongst men, from heaven,
As all nations' light and stay.

Death we first from Eve inherit,
But redemption through the merit
Of the Saviour's fleshly birth.
Sorrow our first parent bore us,
But the fruit, which shall restore us,
Mary with great joy brought forth.

Caring for the careless even,
God the Father looked from heaven,
Sending down His Son on earth:
In the world, yet from it hidden,
As a bridegroom, when thus bidden,
From His chamber Christ came forth.

Giant swift and giant glorious,
Giant o'er our death victorious,
Girt with power and majesty,
Came to run His course, fulfilling
All that seers had been foretelling,
And the Law's whole mystery.

Jesu, our salvation-giving
Balm, Who only on all living
Peace and glory canst bestow!
Since, Thy servants to deliver,
Thou dost stoop in love, for ever
All things join Thy praise to show!
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INDEX

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